OFFERING STUDENT EXPERIENCES
A GUIDE FOR BUSINESS PARTNERS:

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

OVERVIEW

For a project-based or problem-based learning experience, business partners work with a class to work on a project or solve a problem the business is experiencing in real-life, soliciting students for possible solutions or to think through different ideas. We ask that business partners assist teachers in designing a project for students that lasts over an extended period of time (from a week up to a semester) that engages students in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question.

GOALS

Businesses gain new insights and solutions offered by students, and students can directly interact with the industry and the employers.

Students demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a product or presentation for a real audience.

Real-world experience is gained by students with an opportunity to contribute to an actual business problem or project.

HOW TO PLAN

PARTNER-LED EXAMPLES

SAMPLE PROJECTS

PLANNING FOR A GREAT STUDENT EXPERIENCE

We know there’s a lot to consider in planning experiences that are beneficial to both students and our business community, our ever-changing world of work, so see this as a collaborative planning process! To ensure a quality experience, thoughtful planning must precede project-based learning experiences.

Project-based learning involves students designing, developing, or constructing hands-on solutions to a problem. The educational value of PBL is that it aims to build students' creative capacity to work through difficult or ill-structured problems, commonly in small teams.

PROJECT PLANNING

Project-based learning experiences are planned by the Business Partner and the Academy Coach and Teacher, who you can work with to develop the plan and desired outcomes for the PBL experience, and this can also be turned into a competition.

7-14 days prior to your visit to the classroom, the Business Partner should:

Connect with the Academy Coach/Teacher to discuss outcomes or objectives you can address that would assist in connecting the classroom curriculum to the career field.

Send information to the teacher/Academy Coach about your company so students can be thinking about what they hope to learn. If you're able to give students any hands-on learning during the experience or projects to complete prior to the event day, this would be fantastic in creating an impactful experience! (projects subject to teacher approval)

Starting the project:

Consider what materials/instructions/background/programs would be helpful for the Teacher and students to look at prior to working on this project.
Select a passionate company representative to visit the classroom to speak about the company, the company's problem/project that the students will be addressing, and desired outcomes. Provide instructions and expectations to the students; set guidelines and create a comprehensive plan that includes deadlines and FAQs for the participants.
Provide materials (if applicable) and guidance to the students on the project to complete or the problem to be solved.
If this project is arranged as a competition, the Business Partner will work with the Academy Coach/Teacher to determine the rules and criteria for the competition, including any rewards, judges from your company/industry, materials needed, etc.

PROJECT INTRODUCTION

Once the project has been planned with the teacher, we ask that you select one or more company representative(s) to visit the classroom and present the project scope to the students.

We asked JCPS students and educators what they wanted to do, hear, and learn from this experience; use these as objectives in planning:

Demonstrate or depict the company's problem in a way that students will understand, and talk about how they can help to identify solutions.
Talk about why this work is important, and how the students' work will be evaluated.
With the teacher, present your timeline for the project, deliverables, etc. and confirm a timeline for the students' work including a day of presentations/evaluations, if applicable.
Make a connection to the type of skills needed to work in the industry and connect the work with the type of post secondary education needed for the various jobs.

We kindly ask that you do not:

Make promises that the students' work will be used in real life - please inform the students that their work is for educational purposes and may or may not be used by your company.
Provide harsh commentary on the students' work - we ask that your company representatives provide feedback and guidance to students along the way that teaches them about the company's goals with this project or problem.

PROJECT COMPLETION

Promote Reflection and Evaluation: Encourage students to reflect on their learning experiences and evaluate their progress. Provide opportunities for self-assessment, peer review, and feedback from mentors.
Student Showcase: Coordinate a day with the teacher for students to showcase their work, via presentation if applicable. Ideally, through this experience, students will have an opportunity demonstrate their projects to peers, parents, and the community. Celebrate their achievements and recognize their contributions.
Seek Feedback and Iterate: Gather feedback from students, educators, and other stakeholders to improve the project-based learning experience. Use this feedback to make iterative changes and enhancements for future iterations.

Spread the word on social media! See links below.

Follow up & continued guidance:

Providing resources, further information, or guidance on potential next steps, such as internships, educational paths, or industry-related events, extends the impact beyond the tour day.
Networking Opportunities: Encouraging students to network with other professionals or employees in related roles within the organization can broaden their understanding of different career pathways.

Start planning your next student engagement activity! See more guides to creating student experiences here.

EXAMPLES FROM BUSINESS PARTNERS

RE-BRANDING PROJECT

Background: Students in the Business and Culinary pathways went to Kentucky Kingdom and toured their facility (see the agenda here), where they were introduced to a restaurant concept, Casa Mia, that had been underperforming. Kentucky Kingdom leadership asked the students to develop an entirely new restaurant concept.
How it worked: Teachers created a Google Classroom so the students in different classrooms could collaborate together. Students from each pathway were split into groups of 3-5, and focused on different elements while working towards the common goal.
- Business pathway: The groups came up with a new concept for the restaurant. The surveyed students and community members and based on their results they came up with their new concept.
- Culinary pathway: Based on the concept the business students came up with, the culinary students developed the menu.
Outcomes: Students then worked collaboratively to create a presentation to give to Kentucky Kingdom leadership (see photos from their presentation here!)

MORE COMING SOON!

SAMPLE PROJECTS

Here are some sample project-based learning activities that businesses can offer to high school students:

Civic Engagement Campaign: Empower students to address social issues and advocate for change in their community. Projects could involve organizing a voter registration drive, raising awareness about mental health issues, or leading a campaign against substance abuse. Or, teaching students how they can take action on current events by posing a problem to solve and the legal steps associated with their strategy.
Arts and Media Production: Provide opportunities for students to express themselves creatively through multimedia projects that can also support your company's work. This could include producing video content, building code and designing a website, designing digital artwork for your social media platforms, or creating a plan for a podcast series on topics of interest to your target audience.
Entrepreneurship Challenge: Task students with creating a business plan for a startup venture. Provide guidance on market research, product development, financial planning, and marketing strategies. Encourage students to present their business ideas to a panel of judges or investors. Stage shark tank pitch competitions with students on business ideas.
STEM Innovation Project: Challenge students to design and build a technology-based solution to a specific problem. Students could be tasked with designing/prototyping a solution to a real-world problem using science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts. Examples include building a renewable energy device, creating a sustainable agriculture system, or developing a mobile app for social impact, or modeling bridge/construction projects to better the community or solve a problem they/their parents experience.
Environmental Conservation Initiative: Partner with environmental organizations to engage students in projects focused on conservation and sustainability. Activities could include designing and implementing a recycling program, creating a community garden, or conducting research on local ecosystems.
Community Service Initiative: Encourage students to collaborate on projects that benefit our community! Some ideas include organizing a fundraiser event for a charitable cause, auditing processes or production at a local community organization, or designing plans to renovate a public space. Or, building a public health and wellness campaign featuring a fitness challenge, a mental health awareness campaign, or designing a database of resources that promote healthy living.

GE APPLIANCES EXAMPLE PLAN

CELEBRATE & SPREAD THE WORD!

We would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word about the amazing work happening inside our schools, and we’d in turn like to celebrate you! Please use the links below to tag us on social media, and we also encourage you to celebrate your employee’s work by sharing in your company newsletter or employee communications.

Need inspiration? Check out our social media guide here.